Sling Resources
Being Buyer Beware.
As with everything you buy for your baby a sling is something that you need to consider very carefully. Research is especially important with a product which is going to bear the weight of a child. Here are a few important points to bear in mind when deciding what and where to buy:
A good seller will never mind you asking questions about the safety of a product or their liability insurance.
When buying second hand, make sure you ask about the condition of the item, and where possible, buy a brand that you have heard recommended before.
When something appears to be too good to be true it often is. Examples we have come across include a mei tai made out of sheet fabric and a stretchy wrap made out of inferior quality material.
All the links provided on this site are to reputable sellers who have received at least three recommendations from a panel of experienced sling users. This does not mean that you will not have a good experience with someone else, or that these sellers are infallible, but they are a good place to start.
Before using a sling make sure that it looks secure. It should have no holes, loose threads or stitching coming undone.
If you have a sling and you are unsure of its safety ask someone else to check it over before using it. Your child is precious, and although most slings are safe and made by people who know what they are doing, as with any products you use for your child, you need to be certain. We cannot stress too much that it is better to be safe than sorry.
Internet shops selling a variety of slings and sling accessories:
Sling makers retailing their own brand of slings:
| Brightspark (Coorie) | Pouches and ring slings. |
| Calin Bleu | Woven wraps, stretchy wraps. |
| Connecta | In stock and custom soft structured carriers. |
| Daisy Chain Slings | In-stock and custom mei tais, custom podaegis, custom wrap to mei tai conversions. |
| Freedom Slings | Pouches and ring slings. |
| Front Back and Sides Baby Carriers | In stock and custom mei tais. |
| FunkySlings | Stretchy wraps, pouches, ring slings, mei tais and onbuhimos. |
| Herbalbaybee | Pouches and ring slings. |
| IntiBaby | Mei tais and ring slings. |
| JoeySlings | Mei tais. |
| Kari Me Baby Carriers | Stretchy wraps. |
| Lifft Slings | Pouches. |
| Napsack Baby | In-stock and custom mei tais. |
| Ocah Custom Made Carriers | Custom wrap to mei tai, podaegi and ring sling conversions. |
| Petite Pixies Mei Tais by Kass Babes | Custom mei tais, occasional in-stock mei tais. |
| Pouchlings | In stock ring slings, custom pouches and ring slings, custom wrap to ring sling conversions. |
| Rose and Rebellion | Soft structured carriers. |
| Sleepy Nico | In-stock and custom soft structured carriers, and stretchy wraps. |
| SimplyMeiTai | In-stock and custom mei tais. |
| Snug Baby | Mei tais. |
| Tiddlybums / Zidee | In-stock and custom mei tais and podaegis. |
| Wilkinet | Hybrid soft structured carriers. |
Sources for secondhand slings:
| Natural Mamas | UK natural parenting forum, specialising in slings. |
| UK Babywearing Swap | Yahoo Group |
| The BabyWearer | This site’s membership is largely based in the USA, so when buying a sling from the For Sale or Trade boards do check the seller is prepared to post to the UK. |
| Ebay | Occasional bargains can be found but reputable brands of sling tend to sell for high prices. Be very wary of cheap ‘buy it now’ deals. Apparent bargains may be uncomfortable to wear, or too flimsy in design or construction to carry a baby safely. |
When purchasing a secondhand sling always be sure to examine it carefully for wear and tear, and if in you are in any doubt about its safety, please do not use it.